Receptacle



Dec. '17, 1935. w. B. HIRSHON RECEPTACLE Filed Dec. 12, 1931 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to receptacles such as egg cartons and is more particularly concerned with the construction of the filler which divides the container into compartments or cells. The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a filler for an egg carton or the like of such construction as to expose to view a relatively large portion of the egg in each cell for display purposes and to afford the prospective purchaser a better opportunity to inspect the eggs offered for sale.

Another object of the invention is to improve the interlock device between intersecting filler strips.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved cushioning means in the egg carton at the four sides thereof.

A further object of the invention is generally to improve receptacles of the egg carton type and the fillers therefor.

For a complete understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the carton having the improved filler thereon on the line II of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a plan view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side View of one of the filler members; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of a companion filler member.

As here shown, the receptacle is made of paper or any other suitable material and comprises a box or casing I 0 having a cover flap II, and intersecting filler strips I2 and I3, which divide the box IIIinto a plurality of cells or compartments, as shown more clearly in Figure 2. The companion strips I2 and I3 project beyond the cells as at I l and I5, forming cushioning compartments I6 at the four sides of the box thereby protecting the eggs against breakage.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the filler strips I2 and I3 are provided with cut-out portions or recesses I7 and I8 respectively at their upper edge portions and similar recesses I9 and respective'y at their lower edge portions, and by reason of certain cut-outs the egg in each compartment or cell in the bcx is exposed at the major top portion thereof on all sides. The cut-out portions at the bottom edge portions of the filler strips i2 and I3 make certain a similar'display of the eggs should the filler strips be exposed in the box reversely with respect to the upper and lower edge portions of said strips.

According to the present invention strips I2 and I3 are assembled in intersecting relation and are held in this relative position by an interlock construction. For this purpose each strip I2 is provided with slits at 2i terminating in the cut-out portions 22 forming tongues 23 of the form shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 6, and each strip I3 is provided with slits 24 and spaced verticallyaligned, cut-outs 25. As thus constructed, the strips are assembled so that the slits 2I of the strips I2 are disposed at the upper portions of the strips I3 and the slits 24 of the strips I3 are disposed at the lower portions of the strips with the tongues 23 engaging the strips I3 in the recesses 25.

As shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 6, the edges of each strip I2 at the slit 2I are straight above the tongue 23 and are curved at and below said tongue. The edge of the tongue 23 and the opposed edge 23 converge forming a slit that is gradually restricted to a maximum at the lower edge 23a of the tongue. Thus, the slit 2I is widest at the top and narrowest at the bottom where it merges into the recess 22. This construction facilitates assembly of the strips I2 and I3 and prevents their accidental separation. The tongues 23 are provided with overhanging portions 23a which extend over the portions of the strips I3 adjacent the openings and thereby aid in preventing accidental separation of the strips I2 and I3. The bottom edges of the overhanging portions 23a of the tongues 23 are downwardly inclined and engage the bottom edges of the openings 25 in the companion strips I3. Thus, the restricted slits 2 I and the overhanging tongue portions 23a cooperate to improve materially the interlock construction between the strips I2 and I3.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that certain changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the present invention. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown, except as may be required by the appended claim and the. prior art.

WILLIAM B. HIRSHONQ 

